Pick Six Weekly: Fantasy underachievers step it up (well, some of them)

Wednesday

Sep 29, 2010 at 12:01 AMSep 29, 2010 at 1:29 PM

Weekly fantasy football column: Last week’s performances by some of those underachieving fantasy first- and second-rounders had some of you screaming with as much excitement as Anna Colwell. Cincinnati running back Cedric Benson, Miami wideout Brandon Marshall and Atlanta’s Michael Turner finally lived up to their names. Heck, even former fantasy studs Tony Gonzalez and LaDainian Tomlinson reminded us of who they once were.

Joey Baskerville

Last week’s performances by some of those underachieving fantasy first- and second-rounders had some of you screaming with as much excitement as Anna Colwell.

You know, the girl in the NFL RedZone commercial (who happens to be a Chicago Bears fan, according to her Twitter (@realannacolwell) account).

Cincinnati running back Cedric Benson, Miami wideout Brandon Marshall and Atlanta’s Michael Turner finally lived up to their names. Heck, even former fantasy studs Tony Gonzalez and LaDainian Tomlinson reminded us of who they once were.

Maurice Jones-Drew (MJD), DeAngelo Williams and Ray Rice, however, would be on my milk carton list if I had one in my column. And as the fourth week of the season draws near, it’s becoming clear which teams are good and which ones will be more concerned about next year’s draft than you’ll ever be about your fantasy draft.

I’m already considering letting Williams rot on the bench because his team is trash. Carolina can’t score points and in standard leagues, and touchdowns are paramount.

For many weeks, I’ve told readers to remain patient with their fantasy studs. But after three weeks of evaluation (four weeks is my limit), you have a good idea of who’s going to do well and who may not come out of his slump.

I’ll likely give Williams one more week, partially because I may not have a choice with a good matchup with New Orleans, but if you’re below .500 or even winless, you don’t have much more time to wait.

Never rely on self-diagnosis

Andrew, reader from Freeport, Ill., sent an e-mail on Sunday regarding his fantasy team. He’s worried about MJD, DeAngelo Williams and Houston WR Andre Johnson, who re-aggravated an injury to his ankle last Sunday against Dallas.

When Johnson blurted out the dreaded words “high ankle sprain,” I was about ready to go into panic mode (I own him in a league as well), which you should never do.

Then it was reported Texans coach Gary Kubiak said Johnson was day-to-day in Monday’s presser.

What’s going on?

Johnson is either 1. Correct that he has a high ankle sprain and is tough as nails still playing through a full game with it, 2. Wrong about his diagnosis and Kubiak doesn’t want to alert the Oakland Raiders that he’s fine or, 3. The injury isn’t as severe as, say, Turner’s was last year.

Either way, until he’s inactive on Sunday, start Johnson every week, but keep an eye out on the injury report throughout the week.

Andrew sent this e-mail before Indianapolis wide receiver Austin Collie’s performance last week (171 yards, 2 TDs), who is already on his team (along with Collie’s teammate Reggie Wayne, Wes Welker, Minnesota’s Percy Harvin and Sidney Rice). Too bad Andrew had Collie on the bench, but I don’t think I’ll need to tell him to start him this week, right?

Andrew, my waiver wire pickups are below, but honestly, I’m not sure you need them at WR. Your receiving corps seems to already be prepared for any injuries.

In terms of running back, hope this helps.

Pick Six: Waiver wire pickups

Ray Rice (knee) and Rams running back Steven Jackson (groin) could be scratches or ineffective this week. This puts a premium on Ravens backup Willis McGahee and Kenneth Darby. Darby hasn’t played much through three seasons in the NFL, but he scored a TD last week. If Jackson doesn’t play, he’ll get the carries.

If you can’t get those guys, here’s my remaining top six waiver wire pickups.